Do I need to meet specific requirements to use AT accommodations at Albertus? What documentation is required and when and to whom is it submitted? Do I need to describe how these or similar requested AT devices have enabled me to succeed in the past and will continue to help me complete required coursework at College? Will approval for access to AT resources need to be reauthorized and if so, at what points in time?

Some AT software and equipment is available in publicly accessible labs, and anyone is free to use the software if the computer is available. However, to receive specific accommodations (such as extra time for test taking) you must present documentation of special needs and arrange for accommodations with the Director of the Academic Development Center. Typically, reauthorization of resources is not needed although in some cases it may be required.

Who is available on campus to help me figure out what AT tools I qualify to use and how quickly I can expect to get them? Is there someone whose responsibility it is to deal with assistive technology or students with LD?

Although Albertus does not have a designated AT staff member, a coordinated effort between the student, the Director of the Academic Development Center and the ITS department is usually enough to ensure that you get the tools you need in a timely manner.

Will I be allowed to use AT tools for exams? If so, would I be required to take exams independently in an AT lab or other setting? Would I need to make special proctoring arrangements when exams are taken with AT assistance or will the Director of the Academic Development Center make those arrangements for me?

The opportunity to use AT tools for exams is handled on a case by case basis. Arrangements can be made with Faculty member in advance if a special testing situation is required.

Will the College make print materials available to me in digitized electronic format, audio tape or large print? If so, with who do I need to speak to make this arrangement?

The College has the capability to access many textbooks in digital format from the publishers and can also digitize texts for students who have a proven need. It is important that the student purchase a copy of the book prior to digitization and that students sign a consent form indicating that they understand the issues with copyright law before being given digitized material.

Given my learning disability, is there a campus service for making video and multimedia content available to me?

The ITS department is able to make some multimedia content accessible in limited capacity. This will be handled on a case by case basis.

Much of the College’s web content is accessible and able to be used with screen reader software. In some cases, certain web parts may not be as easily accessed, but the majority of them are available. The College has taken steps to install specific accessibility plugins into the eLearning site (Moodle) to help ensure accessible content on the eLearning site.

Will the College order and pay for AT devices that I want or need but which are not already available?

The College works to make reasonable accommodations for students. The College may not purchase an additional AT tool if an equivalent tool is already available in a campus lab. However, in cases where needs cannot be addressed by readily available software or hardware, the school is able to purchase specific items as needed.

After I receive permission to use AT:
* How do I communicate my AT accommodations to my professors?
* Who will then coordinate my AT accommodations (during lectures, while doing assignments, and taking tests) between the professor and the disability office?

Once you register your needs with the Director of the Academic Development Center, you will meet with the Director and fill out a faculty contact sheet. You, the student, always initiate contact with the instructor once the student has the completed, signed faculty contact sheet. You will then approach your instructors with your sheet to discuss accommodations which are stipulated on the sheet.

Are there certain places on campus where AT tools are available? If so, how many are there? Where are they located? Are they available 24 hours a day and on weekends or are there limited hours? Do students need to sign up for time slots in advance?

The AT tools are currently concentrated in the Rosary Hall library, in a computer lab on the second floor. There is one fully accessible workstation that is available 7 days a week, during the hours that the library is open. There is no need to sign up in advance, although the station is available for all students to use on a first come, first served basis. It is possible to reserve the workstation for a specific day and time if you contact ITS to make arrangements in advance.

What specific resources do AT labs on campus provide? What types of screen reader applications, screen magnification applications, speech recognition applications, software based writing tools, etc. are available? What if they aren’t compatible with my laptop, desktop or other hand held device that I use?

All campus computers are equipped with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat reader – both of which offer built-in “read aloud” features. The Albertus ITS department has adaptive tools can be provided depending on individual student needs.

Does the school maintain, update and repair its assistive technology equipment on a regular basis, and if something goes wrong with these devices, how quickly are they fixed?

ITS updates and maintains all equipment as necessary. The help desk team is able to provide assistance when the equipment fails to function properly and most repairs can occur within 24-48 hours, although replacement purchases may take longer than this.

If I need training about how to use certain assistive technology tools, how is it delivered (e.g. formal group sessions, informal demonstrations, etc.)? Are reference manuals available? What about online tutorials? And will I be able to speak with other students who are also using AT tools to ask questions and troubleshoot problems?

The ITS department is able to provide some support for learning to use AT tools, although some responsibility is placed on the student to learn how best to operate the tools. All software and hardware reference manuals are available for students to learn to use the equipment. Since confidentiality is essential, Albertus is not able to refer you to other students who have used the equipment.

Does the campus provide accessible computer stations and AT devices in other areas beside the AT labs, such as dormitories or the library?

Currently the AT resources are concentrated in the computer lab on the second floor of Rosary Hall (library). Some software may be able to be installed on other computer locations, if requested.

Will I be able to borrow equipment from an AT lab, library, or other location on campus?

Some (but not all) equipment is loaned out – usually for 3 months (or 1 semester) at a time. You will need a current, active Falcon Card to borrow any equipment from ITS through the library.

If I have a problem accessing school-related information and materials (such as teachers’ notes, links to articles, web pages with assignments, take home exams, etc.) is there a person or office available to help me get what I need?

In situations where content is not accessible or a student is having trouble, the student should contact the ITS department. They will be able to advise the student or assist with making additional accommodations to ensure access to the instructor’s content.